It's not news that a weak immune system attracts all kinds of germs and diseases, but some of them may be present in our body and not bother us at all. This type of infection also includes the Epstein Barr virus, which is often found in us in a latent form.
It is not easy to identify, because the initial symptoms resemble ordinary depression, which is why it is important to visit doctors regularly. Only a specialist will be able to distinguish: fatigue – is it a herpes microbe or a common autumn blues.
Today's topic from estet-portal.com will acquaint you in detail with the specifics of the disease, its manifestations and possible complications, methods of diagnosis and treatment.
- Epstein-Barr virus: where did it come from and what is it
- Possible body reactions to Epstein Barr virus
- Epstein Barr virus: main symptoms
- Epstein Barr virus diagnostic methods
- Epstein Barr virus: what therapy is used
- Epstein Barr virus: methods of infection prevention
Epstein-Barr virus: where did it come from and what is it
The disease takes its name from the English immunologist Michael Epstein and his graduate student Yvonne Barr, who studied the disease and described it back in 1964. Today, a latent infection is present in almost every inhabitant of the globe, not excluding children from the first years of their life.
The disease refers to a number of herpes diseases of the 4th type, which have a negative effect on the tissues of the immune system, inflammation is distinguished among them:
⦁ tonsils;
⦁ lymph nodes;
⦁ spleen;
⦁ liver;
⦁ adenoids.
The infection lives in the body permanently, but manifests itself after an illness that weakens the immune system.
Epstein Barr virus – routes of infection
After the body weakens, bacterial herpes begins its attack, and its greatest concentration falls on the oral cavity. Thus, the infection is easily transmitted through human saliva. But you should not hide from a passerby who sneezed 2 meters from you – it cannot cause infection.
But drinking from one cup leads directly to EBV. At the same time, the most common way of infection – a kiss, because there saliva will surely do its job and the carrier of the disease in a pleasant way to share his infection.
Possible body reactions to the Epstein Barr virus
So, infection has occurred – what's next? Do not panic, because there are three types of reaction of our body to the presence of a microbe:
⦁ The first, one of the best reactions – it is a battle with the bacterium until the very recovery. Being present in the body, the disease does not cause any inconvenience and does not manifest itself.
⦁ The second reaction is a little more complicated, as the infected person is a carrier of herpes and shares it through saliva, but feels great while doing so.
⦁ The worst reaction involves the development of an infection, which entails the depletion of immunity and the formation of a number of diseases.
Epstein Barr virus: main symptoms
Unfortunately, as already mentioned, the symptoms are similar to ordinary depression, which reduces the likelihood of an early diagnosis of the disease. Feeling tired, unrested, exhausted even after sleep and vacation, what do we do? – More often we attribute everything to work, eternal running around, nerves and take a sedative or vitamins. But it is chronic fatigue – the main symptom of EBV, therefore it is better to visit a doctor as a reinsurance. throat;
⦁ skin rashes;
⦁ swollen lymph nodes;⦁ fungal-type diseases.
The herpes virus is quite common, which increases its danger, because it is easy to get infected, but much more difficult to detect. The main symptom of infection – swollen lymph nodes and constant fatigue. The microbe is easily transmitted in the saliva of an infected patient.
In some cases, the disease may not manifest itself for decades, while in others – quickly turn into serious complications. This is precisely what the disease is dangerous for, among the most frequent complications are the following described options.
Infectious mononucleosis as a result of a virus
EBV is more common and manifests itself as infectious-type mononucleosis, especially in children, but fortunately it is treated, and the child develops immunity like after chickenpox. The symptoms of mononucleosis are the same as with EBV, but there is also difficulty in breathing. otitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia. Due to the weakening of the immune system until complete recovery and for some time after it, doctors recommend that adults follow a certain regimen, and for children – avoid overwork and contact with sick people.
Oncological diseases as a consequence of the virus
Quite often, against the background of EBV, cancer progresses, among them Burkitt's lymphoma, which is the exit and reproduction of cancer cells outside the lymphatic system, which leads to infection of other human organs. With early diagnosis, the disease is curable.
Other cancers, like various kinds of malignant tumors, – not always a manifestation of infection, just a bacterium destroys the body, which contributes to the manifestation of cancer. But such ailments are not so common, especially if the patient
turned to the doctor in time.
Epstein Barr virus diagnostic methods
Despite the described secrecy, it is possible to determine the disease when examining the patient and after passing several types of routine tests:
⦁ a blood test makes it possible to detect the predominance of mononuclear cells over leukocytes, which indicates an infection;
⦁ a saliva test allows a polymer chain reaction, where the DNA of the disease is determined.
Epstein-Barr virus: what therapy is used
Unfortunately, no medicine has yet been invented that would cure the disease, the course of the disease depends entirely on the reaction of the body. But doctors use complex treatment in order to simultaneously alleviate the patient's condition and dull the bacterium. paracetamol or ibuprofen if fever is present;
⦁ antibiotics when comorbidities – it is a sore throat, otitis media or pneumonia;
⦁ chemotherapy in difficult cases when it comes to cancer;⦁ interferon to eliminate microbial reproduction, etc.
Directly therapy is carried out within the walls of a medical institution,
Epstein Barr virus: infection prevention methods
Like any disease – VEB is better to prevent than to deal with its manifestations later. Since the main sign of infection – chronic fatigue, it is important to observe the measure both in physical and moral stress.
Doctors recommend following these principles in preventive measures:
⦁ get more rest, especially when fatigue is already noticeable;
Epstein Barr virus – a serious disease of the herpes type, which can be constantly present in the body, and manifest itself only when the immune system is weakened. To avoid the consequences and timely determine the disease, you should not self-medicate, and even more so self-diagnosis.
After all, for this there are qualified specialists who will prompt the right direction in therapy and can confirm or refute the diagnosis with the help of tests. Health – the main value of a person, so you should not joke with him.
Rest, good nutrition, moderate physical activity will prevent not only EBV, but also many other diseases, so let's set off on the path to a healthy lifestyle!
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